2017 Festival

 

2017 County Tipperary Drama Festival RESULTS

OVERALL

(P) HANNIFIN CUP ( Entertaining Play ) “Little Gem” Holycross / Ballycahill ?
(A) GALLAGHER AWARD for most promising actor / actress Sarah Loughnane as Elaine in Ariel Nenagh DG
(P) DR.MORRIS MEMORIAL CUP ( Tipperary Group ) Holycross / Ballycahill / Little Gem
(A) BEST SET OVERALL ( Josie Slattery Perptual Trophy ) Tribes / Gorey Little Theatre Group
Certificate of Merit: Ballycogley for their outstanding ability in Sound, Lighting & Stage 
(C) 1st ADJUDICATOR AWARD: Nick Hayes / Lighting / Tribes / Gorey L.T.G.
(C) 2nd ADJUDICATOR AWARD : For Costumes in “Lay Me Down Softly” / Ballycogley DG

 

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CONFINED

(A) BEST ACTOR : Chris Maddock as Theo in “Lay Me Down Softly” Ballycogley DG
(A) BEST ACTRESS : Trisha Lowry as Amber / “Little Gem” / Hollycross / Ballycahill DG
(B) BEST SUPP. ACTOR : Paddy Maguire as Poadar in ” Lay Me Down Softly” / Ballycogley DG
(B) BEST SUPP. ACTRESS : Joan Giller as Jeanette / “Last of the Red Hot Lovers” / Schull DG
3rd “Closer” Curtain Call Productions, Dungarvan
2nd ” Lay Me Down Softly” Ballycogley DG
(P) 1st Tipperary Star Cup “Little Gem” Holycross / Ballycahill D.G.
(A) BEST PRODUCER : Claire Ryan “Little Gem” Holycross / Ballycahill D.G.

 

OPEN

(A&P) BEST ACTOR (Matthew Bourke) Comor O’Connell as Alaine / God of Carnage / Moate Club
1st BEST ACTRESS : Sarah Gallagher as Annette / God of Carnage / Moate Club
2nd BEST SUPP. ACTOR : Malcoln Byrne as Daniel / Tribes / Gorey L.T.G.
(B) BEST SUPP. ACTRESS : Debbie Gartland as Sylvia / Tribes / Gorey L.T.G.
3rd “Play About the Baby” / Prosperous D.G.
2nd “Tribes” / Gorey L.T.G.
(P) 1st TIPP FM TROPHY “God of Carnage” / Moate Club, Naas
(A) BEST PRODUCER : ( Frank Gleeson Award ) Eugene Delaney / God of Carnage / Moate Club

 

Schools Drama:WINNER : Scoil Na Trioda Naofa,Doon : Bog Oak- Ursuline Convent,Thurles

Perpetual Trophies

Tipp FM Trophy ( Winner of the OPEN)

Tipperary Star Cup ( Winner of the CONFINED)

Matthew Bourke Bog Oak ( Winner of Best Actor + Piece of Crystal

Dr.Morris Cup ( Best Tipperary Group)

Hannafin Cup (Most Entertaining Play)

Vase 1 Gallagher Award

2 Best Set

3 Best Actor Confined

4 Best Actress Confined

5 Best Producer Confined

6 Best Actor Open

7 Best Actress Open

8 Best Producer Open (Frank Gleeson)

Bowl 1 Best Supporting Actor Confined

2 Best Supporting Actress Confined

3 Best Sipporting Actor Open

4 Best Supporting Actress Open

Adjudicators 1 Candle Holder

2 Candle Holder

 

Adjudicator   :  Larry McCluskey

NO BOOKING  : Nightly Admission €12 : Concession €8 Season Ticket Available €60  

INFORMATION: (086) 257 51 59

 

Friday 17th  to  Saturday 25th March 2017

Curtain up 8.30pm (sharp)

Except for Final night @8.00

  Plays For 2017

 

OPEN in RED       CONFINED in BLUE
Friday 17th  March (Confined) is not suitable for children
“CLOSER” by Patrick Marber : Curtain Call Productions , Dungarvan

Saturday 18th  March   (Open) is not suitable for children
“PLAY ABOUT THE BABY” by Edward Albee : Prosperous D.G.

Sunday 19th  March  (Open)
“ARIEL” by Marina Carr : Nenagh D.G.

Monday 20th March    (Confined)
 “LAY ME DOWN SOFTLY” by Billy Roche : Ballycogley D.G.

Tuesday 21st March  (Open)
“TRIBES” by Nina Raine : Gorey Little Theatre Group

Wednesday 22th March  (Confined)
“THE LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS” by Neil Simon : Schull D.G.

Thursday 23rd March (Open)
“SHADOW OF A GUNMAN” by Sean O’Casey : Kilmuckridge D.G.

Friday 24th March (Confined)
“LITTLE GEM” by Elaine Murphy : Holycross/Ballycahill D.G.

Saturday 25th March (Open)
“GOD OF CARNAGE” by Yasmina Reza: Moate Club , Naas

 

Friday 17th  March (Confined)

( CONTAINS ADULT CONTENT & IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN )

“CLOSER” by Patrick Marber  : Curtain Call Productions , Dungarvan

Synopsis of the Play Closer is the second play by English playwright Patrick Marber. It was adapted by Marber as a 2004 film of the same name, produced and directed by Mike Nichols.

The central theme of Closer revolves around truth. All four characters have a tense relationship with truth. Those who are “passionate about veracity” press each other to tell the complete truth, no matter the emotional pain caused by it – the irony being that though the truth clarifies, it does not bring them “closer.”

Also being challenged is the illusion of love and romance. The characters are driven both by a need for love and a need for sex. The myth of love and truth bringing us together is deliberately and wilfully turned on its head by Marber.

The play is set in a series of small locales – a hospital waiting room, a photography studio, a pair of living rooms, a bench in front of a suggested aquarium, in front of a photo at a photography exhibition, a booth in a strip club, a café, a room in a museum, a doctor’s office, a hotel room, an enclosed park. The text of the play insists on all settings being “minimal.” Though evocative of real happenings, the lack of physical detail in setting is meant to balance the verbal excess.

The language of Marber’s play is brutal and sexually explicit. Closer has been described as a work that “gets under its audience’s skin, and… not for the emotionally squeamish,” a work in which the audience must take an active hand in constructing the narrative.

History of the Group: Curtain Call Productions Dungarvan was founded in April 2014. Their first production (October 2014) was One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, followed in March 2015 by Steel Magnolias. In October 2015, CCPD staged the Irish premiere of The Graduate for six nights in Dungarvan Town Hall Theatre, Co. Waterford, followed by three nights in Garter Lane Arts Centre, Waterford. The Graduate was Curtain Call’s first ADCI All-Ireland Festival entry, and they were delighted with the positive reaction on the 2016 circuit. In September 2016, Curtain Call staged their fourth production, A Streetcar Named Desire, in Dungarvan.

Curtain Call are delighted to be embarking on the festival circuit again this year, their second circuit outing.

 

Saturday 18th  March   (Open) 

( CONTAINS ADULT CONTENT & IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN )

“PLAY ABOUT THE BABY”  by Edward Albee  : Prosperous D.G.

Synopsis of the Play

 The play opens in a version of Eden, with the Boy and Girl, she is pregnant. The Girl gives birth to the baby. Soon, a middle-aged couple, the Man and Woman appear…..Witty, cryptic, part puzzle play, part vaudeville the play is essential Albee, and shows the major American dramatist — now deceased — continuing a career of experimentation that has always been very European in its absurdist embrace and subsequent disregard for naturalism. This funny, harrowing dramatic fable, which features a four-member ensemble, is as explicit and concise a statement of what Mr. Albee believes as he is ever likely to deliver. It is presented in the form of what might be called a cosmic vaudeville, in which two old pros in this old world teach a pair of young adults just how bleak and dangerous the universe can be. 

 

History of the Group :

Prosperous has a strong tradition of theatre for close to 100 years. The group first won the 1 Act Open All Ireland finals in 1995 with their production of John MacKenna’s “Faint Voices” directed by Anne Clarke and since re-joining the circuit in 2009, have participated regularly in 1 Act and 3 Act All Ireland finals. Prosperous won the 1 Act All Ireland finals in 2012 with David Mamet’s “Bobby Gould in Hell” and again in 2013 with Neil LaBute’s “Lovely Head” and in 2014 came runner up with “The Judges House, by Bram Stoker” all directed by TJ Duggan. The group are consistent qualifiers for the 3 act All Ireland finals in Athlone, they were runners up in 2011 and 2014 and placed third in 2013. They also headed the title of Ulster Champions for two years running, having won the finals with their production of Edward Albee’s “The Goat or who is Sylvia?” in 2013 and in 2014 with “Boeing Boeing” . In 2015, the group decided to take a break from the circuit and had a very successful 10 night run with ‘Alone it Stands’ and directed by Lurlene Duggan, later that year we finished off the season with “Come Back to the 5 and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean”. directed by Suzannah Walsh. In 2016 our 3-Act play was the epic ‘One Man, Two Guvnors’, directed by Lurlene Duggan.

 

Sunday 19th  March  (Open)

“ARIEL”  by Marina Carr  : Nenagh D.G.

Synopsis of the Play

“Ariel” tells the story of the FitzGerald family over a ten tear period, from the ruthlessly ambitious father Fermoy, who will, literally, make any sacrifice to succeed in the political world, to his wife Frances, a deeply unhappy and resentful woman. Fermoy’s brother Boniface, a recovering alcoholic monk, has his faith questioned when he becomes aware of tragic events that impact tragically on this deeply dysfunctional family, including the fate of Ariel and the effect on her brother Stephen and her sister Elaine, who already has a turbulent relationship with her mother.

 

History of the Group :

The Nenagh Players group was founded in 1943 and has been very active every year since. They won the All Ireland Confined Finals in 1998 with “Flight to Grosse Ile “ by Jim Minogue and again in 2000 with “April Bright “ by Dermot Bolger. They moved into the Open section in 2002 and have won many individual awards since then. They have qualified for the Athlone finals on seven occasions.

 

Monday 20th  March    (Confined)

 “LAY ME DOWN SOFTLY” by Billy Roche  : Ballycogley D.G.

Synopsis of the Play

Set in 1960s Ireland,Lay Me Down Softly takes us into the burlesque world of the Carnival and Boxing Academy of Delaney’s Travelling Roadshow with its intriguing cast of characters. It is owned by Theo Delaney, with all comers invited to match their fists against the unbeaten resident fighter , Dean. The arrival of Emer, Theo’s long lost daughter and a challenge from a Professional boxer are about to change everythingin this rundown sideshow forever. It is a mythical tale of love, loss and pain suffused with Roche’s trademark blend of humour and pathos .

NOTE: Boxing training is part of the play but not the fights. Some bad language.

History of the Group :

Ballycogley Players celebrated 40 years of drama in 2015. The Group are regular performers on the amateur drama circuit, appearing at the finals on several occasions , winning the Confined Full Length 2006 and One Act finals in 1980s . They performOne Act Comedy plays each year as part of the Wexford Opera Fringe Festival at several locations around South Wexford. The Group are always delighted to welcome new members.

 

Tuesday 21st  March  (Open)

“TRIBES” by Nina Raine  : Gorey Little Theatre Group

Synopsis of the Play

Tribes was first staged in 2010 in London. The play focuses on a comically dysfunctional  family, made up of bohemian parents Beth and Christopher and three grown up children living at home. The youngest Billy is deaf, raised to read lips and speak but without sign language. When Billy meet Sylvia, a hearing woman born to deaf parents, she teaches him to sign and this opens up a whole new world of communication for him. Billy’s family struggle to cope with this and all react accordingly! Communication, listening, family and belonging are central themes to the fast paced and sharp family drama. 

 

History of the Group :

Gorey Little Theatre Group has been an active Theatre Group since 1950. They have put on countless performances in Gorey for many years. They stage two plays in July and August for our summer audiences, host a one act and a three act festivals every year. Gorey little theatre stage one of the biggest and most popular pantomimes in the south east every January. Gorey theatre owns its own theatre and provides a beautiful space for music, drama and theatre and community events. 

 

 

Wednesday 22th March  (Confined)

“THE LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS” by Neil Simon  : Schull D.G.

Synopsis of the Play:   Last of the Red Hot Lovers is one of the most amusing of Neil Simon’s comedies. It focuses on Barney Cashman – middle-aged, married and overworked – as he begins to feel a desire for sexual adventure.  Over a nine month period, he invites three women to his mother’s apartment to have an afternoon of extramarital sex. The first, Elaine Navazio, proves to be a bundle of neuroses; Bobbi Michele is next, a kooky 20-ish actress; finally Jeanette Fisher, a gloomy, depressed housewife who is married to Barney’s best friend.   Will Barney’s attempts at seduction be successful?

 

Brief History of the Group: Formed 33 years ago, Schull Drama Group has grown over the years into a 60 person strong team of actors, directors, producers, set-builders, costume makers, make-up artists and technical experts.  With a high profile and a loyal following we have been able to tackle a wide range of productions: serious dramas, uproarious comedies, sing-along musicals and colourful pantomimes. We strive for excellence as we compete on the National Drama Festival Circuit.

 

Thursday 23rd  March (Open)

“SHADOW OF A GUNMAN” by Sean O’Casey  : Kilmuckridge D.G.

Synopsis of the Play :Donal Davoren and Seumas Shields are room-mates in a Dublin tenement.  For no particular reason Donal is looked upon by the other residents of the tenement as being a gunman in the service of the Irish Republican Party, but he is merely a dreaming poet who rather enjoys the mystery that has been built up around him.  One of the Republicans calls on Donal and Seumas and leaves  a bag containing bombs in their room.  When the house is raided by the authorities, Minnie Powell, a friend, offers to hide the bag in her room, never dreaming that they would search her.  But the deed is discovered, and Minnie, in trying to resist arrest, is shot.

 

History of the Group : Kilmuckridge Drama Group reformed in 2008 and have staged a production each year for the festival circuit since, they reached the Confined finals on numerous occasions. Eventually winning the Confined section in Claremorris in 2014 with their production of  Connor McPhersons “The Weir”
In 2015 they went on to qualify  (in their first year competing in  the open section )for the open finals  in Athlone with their production of Jimmy Murphys “The Kings Of The Kilburn High Road”.

 

 

Friday 24th March (Confined)

“LITTLE GEM” by Elaine Murphy  : Holycross/Ballycahill D.G.

Synopsis of the Play:

Amber has fierce bad indigestion and Sambucas aren’t getting rid of it…Loraine attacks a customer at workand her boss wants her to see a Psychiatrist…

Amber has fierce bad indigestion and the Sambucas aren’t getting rid of it… Lorraine attacks a customer at work and her boss wants her to see a psychiatrist… Kay’s got an itch ‘down there’ that Gem can’t scratch…but maybe Kermit can??? Paul just uses Amber a until he can get to Australia… The hairy man fancies Lorraine but fails to rise to the occasion… And Gem doesn’t like the neighbours coming in to ‘mind’ him. And if all that isn’t bad enough, little Gem makes his presence felt and…well…life is never the same again.

History of the Group :

Holycross-Ballycahill Drama Group are in existence for over fifty years. We are based in the picturesque village of Holycross, alongside the famous Holycross Abbey.

The group have reached the All Ireland Confined Finals on many occasions, most recently this year,2016, in Castleblayney with “The Thrill of Love” by Amanda Whittington and in 2013 in Rossmore Co. Cork with “The God of Carnage” by Yasmina Reza. We have won numerous acting, directing and set awards, not only on the country’s festival circuit, but also in All Ireland competitions.

 

“Sive” by J.B. Keane, “Run For Your Wife” by Ray Cooney, “Woman and Scarecrow” by Marina Carr and T.S. Elliot’s “Murder in the Cathedral” are among  the critically acclaimed productions that the group have performed around the country. We have even brought “The Beauty Queen of Leenane” by Martin Mc Donagh to Germany following a special request by the American forces based there to perform at their base in Heidelberg.

 

Saturday 25th March (Open)

“GOD OF CARNAGE” by Yasmina Reza : Moate Club , Naas

 

Synopsis of the Play: Winner of the 2009 Tony Award for Best Play, God of Carnage relates to an evening in the lives of two couples, residents of a Brooklyn neighbourhood, who meet to discuss a playground incident. Alan and Annette’s son hit Michael and Veronica’s son in the face with a stick, resulting in two broken teeth. The four of them agree to meet and discuss the incident civilly. However, as the evening goes on, and drinks are imbibed the parents become increasingly childish, resulting in the evening devolving into chaos.

 

History of the Group :The Moat Club, from Naas in Co. Kildare have been competing on the One Act and Three Act circuit since the late 1950’s. During that time they have been very successful winning One Act Open All Irelands in 1983, 1989, 1999, and Three Act Open All Irelands in 1974, 1979 and 2000. As well as competing on the circuit, the club produce up to five shows a year from various genres as well as putting on an annual Christmas Pantomime.

 

 

 

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